£8m Elm set to grow on Kop

Kop boss Kenny Dalglish flew to Holland yesterday for a final look at the AZ Alkmaar star, who has 22 full caps for his country.

But the player had been scratched from the team to face Feyenoord because his wife had gone into labour.

Dalglish was allegedly furious his journey had been in vain, though it did not stop the Anfield delegation finalising plans for the 24-year-old’s summer switch to Merseyside on a five-year, £40,000-a-week deal.

Elm and his agent Patrick Mork are thought to have agreed personal terms in advance of Dalglish’s trip.